Palmer may evict WCA from campus

A change in leadership at Palmer College of Chiropractic has sparked a change in the school's policy and attitude toward the World Chiropractic Alliance (WCA).

An invitation to the WCA to participate in the college's Homecoming event has been withdrawn and an advertising contract with The Chiropractic Journal canceled without notice. In addition, the Student World Chiropractic Alliance (SWCA) ‑‑ recognized as an official campus club during the tenure of Guy Riekeman, DC -- may have its status rescinded by the school.

Despite a long and mutually beneficial relationship between the school and the organization, the surprising actions took place just weeks after Dr. Riekeman was fired as Palmer's president and replaced by Donald Kern, DC.

Dr. Terry A. Rondberg, DC, is a member of the "President's Circle" in recognition of his substantial donations to Palmer and has attended and spoken at previous Lyceums (now called Homecomings).

In 2000, then‑President Reikeman told Dr. Rondberg: "It will be a privilege to stand up in front of this audience and talk to them (Lyceum participants) about your contribution to a future chiropractor." The WCA and its associated companies have advertised in the school publication, The Beacon.

In February, Rondberg received an e-mail from the school stating: "We are contacting you because you were invited to speak for Palmer Chiropractic Lyceum. Your invitation is still valid..."

Information distributed by Palmer about the Homecoming included a notice that "a reception will be held with representatives from the ACA, ICA and WCA in attendance."

WCA disappears

However, after Kern's appointment, all mention of the WCA's inclusion in the event was expunged from Palmer's online material.

In a letter e‑mailed to Rondberg, Kern explained the reason for Palmer's change in attitude and policy toward the WCA.

"It is my view," Kern stated, "that in the interest of unity in our profession several national chiropractic organizations may be counterproductive to said unity. In this regard it is essential that any organization that holds itself out to be one which embraces mainstream chiropractic does in fact represent a significant element of our profession. In my view ACA and ICA represent mainstream chiropractic. I cannot conclude that still another group such as yours brings anything to a discussion for unity in our profession," he concluded.

Rondberg responded by listing several of the organization's most important official positions, including:

 ** That the professional practice objective of chiropractors may be limited to the analysis, diagnosis, correction or stabilization of the subluxation and that the determination of the presence of subluxation may stand as the sole rationale for care ... Nothing in this position statement absolves the chiropractor from knowing the limits of his or her authority and skill, and from determining the safety and appropriateness of chiropractic care.

 ** That the presence of symptoms and/or a medical diagnosis should not be a factor in determining the need for or appropriateness of chiropractic adjustments.

 ** That the use of injectable drugs by chiropractors would be a hazard to the public health, contrary to public policy, and would likely result in increased health care costs.

 ** Parents should have the right to seek and obtain chiropractic care for all their children, regardless of age or presence or absence of symptoms.

 ** No person should be forced by government regulation or societal pressure to receive any medication or treatment, including vaccines, against his or her will.

WCA not in mainstream?

Rondberg asked Kern, "Which of these positions do you find out of the mainstream of chiropractic thought?"

In responding to Kern's accusation that the WCA was not contributing to chiropractic unity, Rondberg pointed to the group's participation as a founding member of the Chiropractic Coalition.

The WCA, the International Chiropractors Association and the Federation of Straight Chiropractors and Organizations have worked together on joint legislative projects and enjoy a healthy and harmonious relationship.

The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) was invited to join the group but refused, having made the decision, as stated by then‑President James Edwards, DC, to "forego further joint legislative efforts," with other organizations.

Rondberg also reminded Kern of the WCA's accomplishments, including the appointment of numerous members in high‑profile positions of leadership on national and international health panels, including the NGO Health Committee, the VA Advisory Committee, the White House Commission on CAM, and the National Advisory Council on Complementary and Alternative Medicine. In addition, the WCA's publication of the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research has resulted in unprecedented positive publicity for the profession.

"For you to arbitrarily declare that a group such as the WCA doesn't bring "anything to a discussion for unity in our profession,' shows either that you are unaware of the accomplishments of the WCA, or that you are acting on behalf of the ACA, which, under the guise of 'unity,' has repeatedly tried to eliminate all other organizations," Rondberg told Kern.

Does Palmer want ACA only?

According to many observers, the ACA has recently been involved in a new strategy to gain control over the profession. It is apparently orchestrating, from behind the scenes, a move to merge disparate state organizations under one ACA‑dominated group.

While ACA supporters laud such mergers as a sign of "unity," the end result is more often a suppression of subluxation‑centered groups or individuals who oppose the ACA‑CCE‑WFC amalgamation.

The ACA has stated that its ultimate goal is the absorption of the ICA through merger.

Last year, Dr. Edwards wrote an article declaring that, on the issue of an ACA‑ICA merger: "Unity is of paramount importance to the chiropractic profession, and for that reason the ACA will not accept ICA rejections nor quit until that goal is ultimately achieved."

Stated Rondberg: "The ACA knows that there is no possibility of such a merger with the WCA, since our organizations hold diametrically opposed views on the role of chiropractic in health care. Therefore," he continued, "rather than trying to work with us cooperatively, they think they must eliminate us by attacking us in the chiropractic media and attempting to prevent us from telling doctors and students the truth about what is actually happening in our profession."

Outlawing diversity

Perhaps hardest hit by the radical change in direction is the Student WCA, which had been welcomed by Riekeman, a staunch supporter of academic freedom.

In an article titled, "Commitment to Academic Freedom Extends Boundaries of Knowledge, Advances Profession," Dr. Riekeman noted: "Too often, our colleges, professional organizations and individual practitioners latch on to particular viewpoints regarding chiropractic philosophy and practice, and refuse to consider new discoveries or contradictory views that challenge their beliefs." He added, "I firmly believe one of the most important and distinctive qualities of a Palmer education is the open spirit of inquiry in which it is delivered ... We want students to be exposed to the diversity of thought that characterizes our profession, right on their own campus."

The WCA, from its earliest days, has sought a climate of openness, even in the midst of strong differences within chiropractic.

"It is our fervent hope that Palmer will continue to allow its students to learn about all viable chiropractic philosophies and organizations," Rondberg said. "It would be a shame if the college should elect to join forces with those who are trying to divide the profession rather than unite it. For any school to suppress those who wish to offer students a different view of the profession is sad. For a school founded by the Palmers -- the chiropractic Fountainhead -- to do so is tragic."